corneliadolian's review
3.0
It's a quick read, with some genuinely funny/witty bits. It's enjoyable, but very flawed. The characters are one-dimensional and we never spend enough time with the likable ones to actually feel very fulfilled by them. When we do spend any time with a character, it's inevitably someone awful.
The protagonist/narrator is likable enough, and funny, but she doesn't grow all that much considering the book spans 7 years of her life. Her growth seems rushed and slapped on, not authentic. I get the feeling that if the book had continued a few more chapters, she'd be right back to some of her old ways in them. Instead of getting a little wiser each year, she bounces from one bad man to another, one helpless fad to another (psychics to pop psychology) and spinelessly exposes herself to her ever-disparaging family. What at first is outrageous and sort of hilarious, soon becomes just really pathetic and sad. She doesn't even seem to care about or enjoy any of the people in her life. Her friends (2 of them, dull as doors) are only mentioned in the context of her discussing her relationships with men. They don't talk about anything else. They don't do anything of substance. They aren't even interesting.
Though the whole premise of the novel seems a bit like a 7-year-long journal drummed up in the same self-evaluating vein as Bridget Jones's Diary, Markoe's gal is no Bridget. Difference is, Bridget was entertaining and endearing and surrounded by legitimately interesting people.
This book could've been more entertaining if we'd seen this woman (I think she had a name, somewhere) interact with more people. If we actually saw her do her job (teaching art at a high school. anyone who's taught even a week of high school will tell you there are some gems to be found there in the way of humor and good stories) or at art gallery functions that she mentions in passing. But no. The writer seems hell-bent on making her a relatively dull, soulless woman whose entire mental life is filled by her awful family and her awful boyfriends, with brief interludes from her cardboard friends.
The protagonist/narrator is likable enough, and funny, but she doesn't grow all that much considering the book spans 7 years of her life. Her growth seems rushed and slapped on, not authentic. I get the feeling that if the book had continued a few more chapters, she'd be right back to some of her old ways in them. Instead of getting a little wiser each year, she bounces from one bad man to another, one helpless fad to another (psychics to pop psychology) and spinelessly exposes herself to her ever-disparaging family. What at first is outrageous and sort of hilarious, soon becomes just really pathetic and sad. She doesn't even seem to care about or enjoy any of the people in her life. Her friends (2 of them, dull as doors) are only mentioned in the context of her discussing her relationships with men. They don't talk about anything else. They don't do anything of substance. They aren't even interesting.
Though the whole premise of the novel seems a bit like a 7-year-long journal drummed up in the same self-evaluating vein as Bridget Jones's Diary, Markoe's gal is no Bridget. Difference is, Bridget was entertaining and endearing and surrounded by legitimately interesting people.
This book could've been more entertaining if we'd seen this woman (I think she had a name, somewhere) interact with more people. If we actually saw her do her job (teaching art at a high school. anyone who's taught even a week of high school will tell you there are some gems to be found there in the way of humor and good stories) or at art gallery functions that she mentions in passing. But no. The writer seems hell-bent on making her a relatively dull, soulless woman whose entire mental life is filled by her awful family and her awful boyfriends, with brief interludes from her cardboard friends.
bizzylizzie's review
4.0
I received this book for - surprise - my 40th birthday, and I waited until I was 41 to read it. Which totally fits in with the tone of the book. Merill Markoe (former Letterman writer) is extremely funny and this book, told in diary format, will appeal to any woman who has crossed any age landmark (25, 30, 40) and faces the pressures that our family and society put upon us. Her family stories are hilarious and her attempts at love are both funny and heartbreaking. This book is short and makes for great entertainment (with a few little life lessons thrown in), so it makes a great follow-up to a serious read or when you just need to laugh. And if you like to laugh at yourself, even better.
luxlunae47's review
2.0
Mildly amusing but ultimately plotless and with no character arc. Just reread Bridget instead of this clone.
tara3117's review against another edition
3.0
What a quick read! This book is witty and light. The main character, whose name remains a mystery, has the worst relationship with her parents and even more unlucky romantic relationships. Her hijinx, though brief, are comical. This story isn't going to change your life, but it is a nice way to spend a weekend.
**Disclaimer** This review comes from a person about 10 years too young to relate to the main character, so it's entirely possible that I would have gotten more out of the book if I was 10 years older.
**Disclaimer** This review comes from a person about 10 years too young to relate to the main character, so it's entirely possible that I would have gotten more out of the book if I was 10 years older.
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